Editorial: We set our goals for 2013

At the start of every year, The Leaf-Chronicle presents things we would like to see accomplished so that our community can continue to prosper.

This must be the year that Clarksville-Montgomery finally gets serious about addressing worsening traffic gridlock throughout the city and county. This community must have more of a focused plan to relieve overcrowded main arteries such as New Providence/Fort Campbell Boulevard, Madison Street, Wilma Rudolph Boulevard, and the Bypass/Riverside Drive.

The community also needs another I-24 interchange to provide access to rapidly growing residential areas on both side of the highway. An "exit 6" to provide a more direct route to Gateway Medical Center emergency traffic and take some of the load off of exit 4. At the same time, we need to look at the future of exits 1, 8 and 11, and what we can do to avoid major problems there.

The southwest loop of Highway 374, from Dover Road across the Cumberland River to Highway 149, should be completed. Southwest and northwest Montgomery County have been separated for far too long, and continued growth is sending commuters through downtown to get to the Fort Campbell area. This long-sought expansion is in the works, and we look to our state legislative delegation to keep this and other transportation projects moving.

Among the other goals to be pursued in 2013:

Clarksville and Montgomery County official movement toward a policy of "de facto" consolidation. They could share management of more governmental functions without total unification, for now. Why not have a combined city-county parks department, and why not work on intergovernmental agreements to allow city police to patrol in the county (within a five mile ring of the city boundaries) and encourage a better inter-agency relationship?

Continuation of the positive trend of retail development in Sango and around Exit 1. This will encourage diversification away from Exit 4/Mall.

Expansion of the Riverwalk/Greenway from Heritage Park to Liberty Park. This would not only greatly enhance quality of life for Clarksville residents, it would make Clarksville a regional draw for runners and cyclists looking for interesting landscapes to explore. The community should also take a hard look at what it would take to connect the north tip of the Riverwalk across the Red River to Fort Defiance with a walking bridge.

Better cooperation among our city leaders. We need discussion, solutions and compromise, not petty infighting.

Community involvement in programs to help and heal soldiers returning from war with PTSD. They have made sacrifices, both physical and emotional, to keep our nation safe. Clarksville can lead the way in showing other military communities what can be done to help them come home.

Support for growth of our school system. Clarksville is lucky to be growing, adding new tax revenue every year. That growth has to be planned and managed carefully to support infrastructure and education for all our new neighbors. Staying on top of new school construction continues as a critical need.

More unique choices in restaurants, particularly those that offer healthy options. The community has it's share of fast-food and chain restaurants. We need more diversity.

Of course, many other goals could be added, and The Leaf-Chronicle will be telling you about those in the next 364 days of 2013.

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Editorial: We set our goals for 2013

At the start of every year, The Leaf-Chronicle presents things we would like to see accomplished so that our community can continue to prosper.